Under 14 girls look forward to a bright future after a successful 2016

The Maleny Rangers Football Club U14 Girls were the underdogs of the competition for the 2016 season. With most of the girls playing up a couple age divisions, and being much smaller in size, we went into the season with some uncertainty on how it would all play out, but excited nonetheless. These girls live and breathe football and it showed itself when they took to the field against their opponents. Through team work, determination and absolute dedication these girls took out the esteemed PREMIERSHIP for the 2016 season!

The season was full of improvements from every member of the team, with newbies Bethany, Willow and Angelina successfully learning all the skills needed for this fast-paced game and becoming valuable assets to the team.

For some of the returning girls playing on a full-sized field came as a bit of shock, but they soon learned to adapt to the pace and fitness required. Isabel who was the central midfielder for the season was like an energiser bunny the way she ran around that field and soon became one of the most reliable players on the team. Another reliable player is Mia, my go to girl, if a position needed to be filled on the field she could slot into it with absolutely no problems.

The main achievement during the year was getting the whole team to work as a single unit, the idea that everyone played a vital role on the field was instilled in these girls and none more so then our team’s backline. I would proudly say that the Maleny team had one of the stronger defence lines in the competition. With Indiana’s speed, she soon found her place as centre back and along with team captain Asha’s ability to read play the two formed an almost impassable wall for any striker. Right back player Maddy has the innate ability to be in the right spot at the right moment and got the team out of tricky spots more times than can be counted.
To assist the team in a stronger attack, the defence was told to play high up the field. This tactic worked especially well during our last game when left back Lucy took a long shot at goal and it curled in perfectly under the crossbar. This was a definite highlight for the year.

Some other highlights include a match where the team was losing 1-0 at half time and through striker Kirra-Leigh’s hat trick came back to win the game 3-1. Up front with her were our wingers Amy and Sara. Amy soon mastered the art of a perfect cross and assisted a lot of goals this season, the highlights including two crosses that Sara perfectly volleyed into the goal. Sara will be moving to striker position in the new season and with her quick feet and skilful moves I can only see more goals occurring in the future from this duo.

Now everyone knows one of the key players on the team is the goal keeper and we were blessed with newcomer Chile who was born to save goals. Whether the shot was high, low, left or right this girl was always ready to do whatever it took to make sure very few goals got past her.

Maleny girls U14’s team played an amazing 2016 season and we are only looking to build on our success in 2017. I’d like to quickly thank Kim (manager), Chloe (assistant coach) and all the parents for their assistance with the team during 2016 and their continued support for 2017.